Insulator cutting machine



' All@ 15, 1944 x E'. M sKlPPER 2,355,684

INSULATOR CUTTING MACHINE Filed July 31, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 z- I q l .Tn 3 U l0! J 44 M 44 I 37 6 2/,7 57 /6 /5 56' /5 6a 85 77 77 55 /4 /oo Aug. 1 5, 1944.

E. M. SKIPPER INsULAToR CUTTING MACHINE Filed July 3l, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Aag. 15, 1944.

E. M. ,SKIPPER INSULATOR CUTTING MACHINE 4 sheets-sheet s Filed July 5l. 1941 Aug. l5, 1944.

E. M. SKIPPER INSULATOR CUTTING MACHINE Filed July 51, 1941 l l l l v l l 4 sheets-sheet 4 Edward/Y Swine/VMM Patented Aug. 15, 1944 iNsn'LAroit CUTTING MACHiNE Edward M. Skipper, Baltimore, Md., assignor to Locke Insulator Corporation, Baltimore, Md., a corporation of Maryland Application July 31, 1941, Serial No. 404,941

14 Claims.

The invention pertains to an insulator cutting machine.

An object of the invention is the provision, in an insulator forming or cutting machine, of a plurality of driven spindles adapted to carry insulator blanks past a series of cutting means.

Another object of the invention is the provision, in an insulator cutting machine, of an arrangement whereby insulator carrying spindles are subjected to sub-atmospheric pressure as the spindles pass certain predetermined stations and thereafter subjected to uidpressure so as to respectively maintain the insulators in assembly with thespindles and facilitate a removal of the insulators from the spindles.

A further object of the invention is to incorporate a Geneva movement in an insulator cutting machine so that spindles may be intermittently moved along a predetermined path and periodically subject insulator blanks carried thereby to a series of cutting means.

An added object of the invention is to arrange a driving means for a plurality of insulator carrying spindles so that the spindles will, upon approaching the first of a series of cutting means, obtain their maximum rotative speed.

A still further object of the invention is to arrange a driving means fora plurality of insulator carrying spindles so that the majority of the spindles are rotated about their axes at a maximum speed past a series of cutting means and, upon reaching a predetermined position beyond the cutting means, the spindles ,travel away from the path of the driving means and become stationary relative to their support.

The above as well as. numerous other objects will become apparent from an examination Yof the accompanying drawings which, in several views, illustrate an exemplary form of the invention and wherein:

Figure 1 is a vertical view of a machine embodying the present invention, being shown partially in elevation and partially in section to more clearly illustrate the invention.

, Figure 2 is a plan view of the machine shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a horizontal sectional view taken along the lines 3--3 of Figure l, looking in the direction Vof the arrows.

Figure 4 is a horizontal view taken along the lines 4-4 of Figure 1, looking in tliedirection of the arrows.

Figure 5 is a horizontal view taken along the lines 5 5 of Figure 1,looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 6 is a horizontal view taken along the lines 6--5 of Figure 1, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure '7 is a vertical sectional view taken along drawings. 45

the lines' I-I` of Figure 2, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 8 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken along the lines B-8 of Figure '1, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 9 is an enlarged vertical view taken along the lines 9-9` of Figure 2, looking in the direction of the arrows and being shown partially in section and partially in elevation.

Referring now in detail to the drawings wherein like reference characters indicate like parts,

Ythe numeral I designates, in a general manner, a' machine for` cutting or forming insulators from blanks, particular reference being made to Figure 9 illustrating a blank 2 diagrammatically or by dot and 'dash lines 3. The insulator blank is pre-formed by any approved manner and brought to preferably a bone-dry state when its outer conguration is finished or changed by milling to the contour or outline indicated by full lines 4 in'Figure 9.

The machine comprises a base or foot plate 5 adapted to bear upon, or, if desired, be secured to a subjacent support or floor 6. Upstandng from the base plate and spaced at predetermined or convenient intervals is a plurality of coextensive posts, stanchions or columns 1 which are channel-shaped in horizontal cross section and joined to the baseplate through the medium of angular gussets 8. Also extending upwardly from the foot plate is a columnforming anchor 'Ia attached to the foot plate in the same manner as the posts "I. Overlying the upper or free ex# tremities of the columns and anchor is a circular, dished or arcuately formed foundation, intermediate support or housing 9 preferably of cast formation and comprising a ring or vertically disposed annular skirt I0 having, projecting inwardly therefrom, a horizontal ledge or shelf I I extending for a predetermined distance toward the vertical axis of the machine, the latter of which is indicated by the diagrammatic line .ic-, reference being made to Figure 1 of the A plurality of or several supports are connected to the foundation ledge by means of angular gussets I2 through bolts I3 or by welding, rivets or any other desired securing means (not shown). Directed upwardly and inwardly of the machine from the skirt is an inclined or tapered wall I4 which terminates in a vertically extending lip I5 defining the upper opened end of the housing. Positioned above the housing and substantially horizontally coextensive with the lip is a revolving or movable inverted disklike, preferably cast, table I6 comprising a top plate or disk I1 which is provided with a peripheral, continuous, downwardly extending, flange I8 terminating a slight distance above and short of, as well as in substantial vertical alignment with, the housing lip so that the table forms a cover over the housing to thereby prevent the ingress of foreign substance to the interior of the housing. The table is provided with an axially disposed sleeve or bearing I9 desirably cast integral therewith and extending downwardly from the top plate to the interior of the housing.

Forming an extension of the sleeve, outwardly of or upwardly from the top disk, is a collar secured to the table by any means such as the illustrated bolts 2|, thus presenting a greater bearing area for associated structure to be hereinafter described. The table is supported in its elevated or illustrated position by means of a centrally and vertically disposed shaft 22 which is retained in operable position by a reduced lower extremity 23 thereof extending into or accommodated by a suitably bushed socket v24 bearing upon and secured to the foot plate. So as to decrease the forces which will otherwise tend -to retard the rotative movement of the shaft a roller bearing or anti-friction means 25 is interposed between the shaft and socket to carry directly the load of the shaft and its related structure. In order to maintain the upper extremity of the shaft in a predetermined position there is pro-- vided a spider or skeletonized casting 26 having angularly related diverging arms 21 extending and secured to the upper extremities of an aligned standard and anchor and forming connections between the standard and anchor and the overlying housing shelf through the medium of bolts 28 or any such securing means. The shelf, at one location, is `broadened or extended toward the shaft, as at 29, and to this portion of the shelf is secured an auxiliary arm 3S completing the supporting structure of the spider or skeletonized casting. The arms merge adjacent the central portion of the spider into a hub 3| which is provided with an inner bearing or wear sleeve 32 neatly accommodating or guidin-gly receiving the upper portion of the shaft to hold the latter in a vertical position. The upper extremity 33 of the shaft projects through the aligned bearing I 9 and related collar to be provided with a key 34 preventing relative rotative movement between the shaft and .the table. The shaft has, intermediate the ends thereof, a shoulder 35 having associated therewith a washer 36 to retain the latter in a predetermined elevation, The washer,

being spaced a suicient distance above the subjacent spider hub to prevent the creation of frictional forces upon a rotative movement of the shaft, acts as a bearing plate or auxiliary support for the table and is arranged to move with the ,K shaft by being interlocked therewith through the key Sii.

Holding means has been associated with the tabie to retain the insulator blanks or insulators in a xed position, and as an exemplication of such a means spindles 31, substantially .equally and circularly spaced, are mounted upon the table adjacent the periphery thereof. While there are eight spindles illustrated in the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the number of spindles disclosed are merely illustrative of the quantity that may be employed and by no means intended to act as a limitation of the present invention.

By referring particularly to Figure 9 which characterizes one of the spindles, it will be noted that each spindle includes a casing 38 projecting through the table and having an axial bore 39 and a radially extending flange Ml, the latter of which rests upon and is secured to the disk by bolts 40a or any other desired means. Extending through each spindle bore is a rotatable hollow axle 4| arranged to react against the casing through the vertically positioned anti-friction means or roller bearings 42, thereby permitting la relatively unrestricted rotative motion of the axle. Sealing rings 43, spaced along the axle, form barriers between chambers partitioned within the bore and prevent the ingress of foreign substance to the interior of the bore and egress of roller bearing lubricating means therefrom. Secured to the upper extremity of each axle is a cap -44 the free extremity of which is shaped to correspond with the preformed inner and lower configuration of an insulator blank 3 so that portions of the cap and insulator blank will be in telescoping relation. The insulator blanks nest or intermesh with the cap to be thereby retained in a lixed position relative thereto as well as for other purposes to be hereinafter set forth. A shield 45 is removably secured to the axle to depend from immediately beneath the cap to a positionA short of the table in order to act as a deflector and prevent particles of material milled from the insulator blank from reaching the interior of the spindle.

Driving means is provided in the machine to spin or rotate certain of the spindles at predetermined intervals. As will be noted from viewing Figure 2 of the drawings, the location of thevarious spindles is designated as stations A to H, inclusive, and it may be Well to here state generally that the spindles are, by reason of a revolving motion of the table about the vertical axis x-, advanced from station to station so that the blanks thereby may be operated on by a series of cutting means designated generally by the reference character 4S. It will, therefore, be further noted that a number of spindles in advance of the cutting means should be out of Contact with the spindle driving means in order to remove completed insulators from and to mount additional insulator blanks on the spindles. So as to fulll this requirement there has been provided a motor 41 removably secured to the anchor le. The motor is preferably `vertically disposed, and lin order to steady the shaft 41a thereof against vibratory forces which may be set up in the motor in service, a jacket 48 housing a roller bearing element 49 extending around the shaft is secured to the housing ledge. The free or upper extremity of the motor shaft is provided with a drive pulley 5| which is prevented from moving relative to the shaft by a key 52. Suitably keyed or otherwise secured to the lower end of each spindle axle within the confines of the housing is a pulley 53 in horizontal alignment with the drive pulley 5|. The spindle pulleys are adapted to be connected to the drive pulley through a exible belt 54 which extends tangential to the pulleys and drives the spindles about their axes in a counterclockwise direction. Since the cutting means are positioned about the table opposite stations B, C, D and E, the driving means is arranged so that the spindles, upon reaching the stations above indicated, are revolving at their maximum speed. Accordingly, the motor and its related drive pulley are situated a short distance in advance and outwardly of station A so that upon a counter-clockwise motion of the table, tending to advance the spindles from station to station, the pulley of the spindle, as illustrated at station A, will be advanced toward and to station B to be intercepted by or reach the path of the driving belt approximately midway between stations A and B and thereby cause the related spindle tobetraveling at its maximum rotative lspeedupon reaching station-B Where the insulator blank will be acted upon effectively bythe rst of the series of 'cut'-l ting means. Since the spindle at stationv A is stationary anoperator places an, insulator blank upon the spindle located at that station. C

' An adjusting means isincorporated inthe construction so that the drive belt may, at all times,

be maintained in a taut state, and to fulfill this requirement a clevis 55 having spaced jaws 56 is positioned within the housing adjacent and out'- wardly from the station"` G. The clevis has a shank 51 extending through the housing wall 'M and a rotatable element or nut 58 threadedly associated with the free extremity of the shank outwardly of the housing so that, upon a manipulation of the nut to vary the effective length-o the shank, the jaws may be moved inwardly and outwardly of the housing, as desired. Pin connected to and disposed between the clevis jaws is an idling pulley 59 about which the 'driving belt extends toform a connection between the pulley of the spindle at station F and the drive pulley and thereby by-pass or hold the drive belt away from the pulleys of the spindles at stations G, H and A. Accordingly, the rotative 'force stored up in the spindle when it reaches station G will spend itself while remaining at this location so that upon moving to station H the completed insulator carried thereby may be removed. As previously indicated, the wall i4 of the housing, at least in the proximity of the cutting means, is tapered downwardly away from the' table so that cuttings from the insulator blanks will be guided away from the table into bins (not shown) which may be positioned on the iloor '6 to receive such cuttings. However, in order to accommodate the clevis and its related pulleyas well as the motor pulley and the tangentially disposed drive belt the inclined wall removed from the cutting means and in the proximi'tyof thel elements stated is angularly disposed, relieved or extended 'vertically and horizontally. as indicated at 56.

As previously stated, the table is pivotally mounted upon the shaft 33, and' accordingly means has been incorporated in the machine to govern or control the movement of the table. `The movement imparted to the table is somewhat like or a modification of the so-called Geneva movement whereby the table is intermittently moved 4so that insulator blanks may be moved from station to station progressively from one cutting means to another.

As an exemplification of a mechanism for the 'above indicated purpose, a horizontally disposed motor Bl is mounted beneath the housing upon the lfoot plate and is associated with a slide or rest block 6la for moving the motoras a unit nand compensating for belt slack created in serv- `ice.` Spaced from the motor Bl is a pulley wheel 62 in alignment with the motor pulley (not shown) and connected thereto by means of a belt 63. The pulley wheel is connected to a'train of gears housed within a box 64 through the axle 65. Upstanding from the box and connected to the train of gears contained therein is a journal 66 adapted to rotate in a clockwise direction when viewed in plan. Suitably fixed to the jour- 4nal through a key 61 is a disk 68 having a radially to define an opening 1I therebetween. The clip and portion of theplate immediately thereaboveA are provided with aligned apertures '12 into which project reduced end portions of a rotatable pin or tooth 13. The disk is in horizontal alignment with-a star gear 14 keyed to the shaft 22; the' gear being provided withindentures or U-shaped reliefs 15 adapted to accommodate or receive the tooth of the disk.` As illustrated, the star gear contains eight such indentures corresponding to thenumber of spindles carried by the table. Accordingly, upon each complete revolution of the disk the tooth thereof will enter a gear indenture and revolve the table in a counter-clockwise direction, when viewed in plan, a distance sufficient to advance the spindles to the next succeeding station whereupon the tooth, by reason of its circumscribing a path about an axis spaced from the axis :I3- x, will pass out of the particularly occupied indenture to leave the table in the thus moved position until the pin enters and occupies the next or following indenture to repeat the cycle. During the intervals in which the' spindles are positioned at stations B, C, D and E the cutting means are operating on the blanks to obtain the desired conguration. o Consideration has been given to means for retaining the insulator blanks in xed or assembled relation with the spindles. Such a means is exemplied by a cover plate 16 rotatable with the table and shaft by reason of the bolts 11 threadedly associated with the cover plate extending vertically through the washer. In subj acont and bearing relation with the cover plate is a dish 18 bearing upon and supported in elevated position byf the housing hub. The dish is provided with an upwardly facing or opening, radially disposed groove 19 positioned intermediate the hub and periphery of the dish to have leading thereto `or communicating therewith a conduit 8i) only a portionV of which is illustrated and which leads from a supply of iluid pressure (not shown). The interior of the 'groove is, therefore, at all times subjected to a current .of huid-pressure for theipurpose to be hereinafter explained. It may also at this time be advisable to add for future reference thatv since the dish remains stationary thegroovetherein has been positioned so as to correspond with the radial indicating the station H. The dish also contains a plurality of, preferably four, parallel circular channels, indicated as a, b," c and d, which openupwardly itoward the cover plate and are, intermediate -their ends, in direct communication with one another through the presence of a cross cut 8 l'.

Extending below and from the dish is a duct 82 .leading to the cross cut. The duct 82 is charged with a suction 'or sub-'atmospheric pressure from a source of supply not illustrated in the drawings. Accordingly, it is to be noted that the vchannels throughout their entire extent are at all times subjected to sub-atmospheric pressure and are so disposed'as to extend 180 er a distance Vto correspond with the distance starting at approximately mid-point between the radials indicating stations A and Bthrough stations B, C, D and E and terminating approximately midway between the facials indicating stations E and F. opstanding fromi the cover plate 'i6 are a plurality of pipes 8\3 corresponding in Anumber with the number of spindles employed, as in the present case, eight. All of the pipes are extended through `the plate so'as to have their one or lower extremity open at the contiguous surfaces of the `cover plate andldish and-their opposite or upper extremities open into the respective spindle casings. The pipes are arranged so that diametrically disposed pipes are adapted to open into or communicate with the same channel. That is to say, kthe pipes leading to the spindles, illustrated as positioned at stations A and E, are adapted to open into channel a; those at stations B and F into channel b; those at stations C and G into channel c; and those at stations D and E into channel d. The radial distance between all of the pipes at the cover plate is substantially equal to or preferably a slight distance greater than the length of the groove 19.

Each spindle casing is provided with a radially disposed oriiice 84 with which one of the pipes is threadedly related. Leading from each orice is an inwardly facing, semi-circular in cross section, recess 85 extending entirely about the casing. The axle has, in horizontal alignment with the orifice and recess, an entrance or portal 86 preferably of the same diameter as the recess and communicating with a centrally disposed vertically extending passage 8l. The passage of each spindle is closed or blocked at its lower extremity by a bolt and washer 88 which also functions as a means for retaining the pulley 53 in elevated position while the upper extremity of each passage opens into the inner upper confines of the related cap. Vertically spaced sealing rings 89 are positioned on each side of the horizontal plane of the orifice of each spindle to render the lines leading from the spindle cap to the cover plate leak-proof.

From the above, therefore, it will be noted that the inner area of each cap and related insulator blank or insulator is in direct communication with the contiguous surfaces of the cover plate and dish so that as the plate is revolved to move the idle spindle located at station A to station B the pipe leading to the spindle will be intercepted by the channel a in the dish to subject the inner connes of the insulator blank carried by the spindle to sub-atmospheric pressure, thereby drawing the insulator blank down on the sube jacent cap to retain it in assembled relation therewith. The structure is arranged so that shortly after the interior of the insulator blank carried by the spindle moving from stations A to B is subjected to sub-atmospheric pressure the pulley 53 of -that spindle comes into contact with the drive belt 54, and upon reaching station B the spindle is rotating at its maximum speed. The spindle is then intermittently moved from station to station through or past the series of cutting means with the insulator blank thereof subjected to sub-atmospheric pressure until after it has passed station E and approaches station F where the related pipe thereof passes beyond the limits of its corresponding channel. While the belt is in contact with the spindle at station F the subatmospheric pressure stored within the related line will be of suiiicient force to retain the completed insulator on the cap. This pressure is also of suflicient intensity to keep the insulator on the cap while the spindle is halted at station G where the pulley of that spindle has moved out of the path of the drive belt and the rotative forces of the spindle will be spent. Upon the next rotative step of the table the idle spindle will be moved from station G to station H where the pipe of that spindle will come to rest over the groove 19 to be subjected to iiuid pressure, thereby relieving or releasing the completed insulator from the cap.

Drive means is provided in the machine for imparting a rotative motion to the cutting-means.` As exemplified in the drawings, the journal 66, adapted to rotate in a clockwise direction, projects above the plate 69 where it extends into and is keyed to a socket 9D of a horizontally disposed bevelled gear 9| having an upper stud portion 92 thereof guidingly received by a base casingA 93 affixed to and depending from the extended portion of the ledge 29. Spaced at suitable intervals about the bevelled gear and intermeshed there-A with are a plurality of pinions 94 corresponding in number to the number of cutting means employed, which are four in the instant structure but may be of any number desired. The pinions are secured to horizontally disposed rods 95 which are securely retained in operable position by suitable bearings 96.

Aixed to the opposite ends of the rods are worm gears 91 which intermesh with gears 98 adapted to rotate in a counter-clockwise direction when viewed in plan. The gears 98 are secured to the lower extremities of vertical shafts 99 which extend through jackets |00 formed with the house ing and extending thereabove. The jackets are located so as to be intersected by the radials indicating stations B, C, D and E. Associated with the upper extremity of each shaft 99 is a cage IUI adapted to receive and retain cutting tools (not shown) which mill the insulator caps to the desired contour. The cutting means or cages are rotated in a counter-clockwise direction or in the same direction as the spindles so that the cutting tools will be moved against the movement of the insulator blank and expedite the milling operation. A plurality of cages are employed in the present structure so that each cage may carry the necessary tools to mill only a portion of the insulator blank, and in this manner cuts only of suiiicient depth which are capable of being withstood by the insulator forming material are made at each successive station throughout the series of cutting operations.

From the above it will be noted that various changes and alterations may be made to the il# lustrated and described structure without departing from within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

l. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a table, means for intermittently rotating said table, a plurality of spindles equally spaced about the periphery of and carried by said table, means for rotating some of said spindles, a plurality of rotatable cutting means occupying a iixed position adjacent a like number of spindles when the table is at rest, and means for rotating said cutting means whereby each spindle is suc cessively positioned opposite each cutting means- 2. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a table, means for intermittently moving said table rotatively about a ilxed point, a plurality of spindles equally spaced about and carried by said table, means for rotating some of said spindles independently ofsaid table, a plurality of cages spaced outwardly at the periphery of said table, said cages each carrying cutting. means positioned in radial alinement with some of said spindles when the table is at rest, and means for rotating said cages to cause said cutting means to move in the same direction as the adjacent spindles.

3. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a table, spindles stationed about and carried by said table, driving means positoned below said table, flexible means connecting said driving means and adapted to successively engage each of said spindles, and cutting means disposed in radial alinement with some of said spindles said cutting means being positioned outwardly of said table and spaced different distances from said spindles.

4. In a machine of the character described, the

combination of a rotatable table, spindles equally spaced about and carried by said table, driving means positioned below said table, flexible means for successively connecting said driving means and each of said spindles for rotating the same, adjusting means connected to said flexible means, means for rotating said table intermittently about a iixed axis to progressively advance said spindles, and cutting means disposed outwardly of said table and in radial alinement with a plurality of said rotating spindles when said table is at rest.

5. The method of forming insulators which consists in placing insulator blanks on spindles arranged to rotate about their own axes and be rotated at predetermined intervals about a common axis, subjecting the blanks progressively to a plurality of cutting means, retaining the blanks on the spindles stationed adjacent each cutting means by sub-atmospheric pressure, and releasing by fluid pressurethe blanks from the spindles at a predetermined point after each blank has passed the final cutting means 6. The method of forming insulators which consists in placing insulator blanks successively on v supporting means arranged to be moved at predetermined intervals so as to progressively subject the blanks to a series of cutting means, retaining said blanks subjected to the cutting means on said supporting means by sub-atmospheric pressure, and releasing by iiuid pressure the blanks from said supporting means at a predetermined point after they pass the final cutting means of said series.

'1. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a rotatable table, hollow spindles carried by and rotatably associated relative to said table, means for rotating said table, conduit means communicating with the interior of said spindles, and means associated with said first named conduit means arranged to alternately supply subatmospheric pressure and iluid pressure at predetermined intervals.

8. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a rotatable table, a plurality of spindles mounted on said table, means for rotating a majority of said spindles at the same time and at a given speed, means fixed with respect to said table, and means adapted to periodically engage said fixed means for in-termittently moving said table to position each of said spindles at a predetermined point when said table is at rest.

9. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a table, a plurality of spindles mounted on said table, means for driving the majority of said spindles said means frictionally engaging each successive sp-indle at a predetermined point, means for automatically increasing the frictional pressure between each spindle and said driving means to a predetermined maximum, a star gear fixed relative to said table, means adapted to intermesh with said star gear for intermittently moving said table, and cutting means spaced about said table adaptedto successively engage certain insulator blanks carried by said spindles when said table is at rest.

10. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a rotating table, a star gear fixed with respect to said table, means adapted to intermesh with said star gear and intermittently rotate said table, spindles carried by said table, driving means connecting and arranged to rotate a plurality of said spindles said means frictionally engaging each successive spindle at a predetermined point, means for automatically increasing the frictional pressure between each spindle and said driving means to a predetermined maximum, rotatable cutting means spaced about said table, and a common drive means for simultaneously rotating all of said cutting means.

ll. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a table, a star gear xed with respect to said table, means adapted to intermesh with said star gear and intermittently rotate said table, spindles carried by said table, driving means connecting and arranged to rotate a plurality of said spindles said means frictionally engaging each successive spindle at a predetermined point, means for automatically increasing the frictional pressure between each spindle and said driving means to a predetermined maximum, adjusting means associated with said driving means and positioned adjacent some of said driven spindles, rotatable cutting means faced outwardly of the periphery of said table, a common drive means for rotating all of said cutting means, and means for securing insulators to said driven spindles.

12. In a machine of the character described, the combination with a table, means for intermittently rotating said table about a xed point, a plurality of spindles carried by said table and movable therewith, driving means for rotating some of said spindles, and rotatable cutting means positioned so as to successively engage a body adapted to be mounted on said spindles.

13. In a machine of the character described,

the combination of a rotatable table, insulator blank supporting spindles equally spaced about and carried by said table, cutting means disposed adjacent a plurality of said spindles, some of said spindles being adapted to support insulator blanks, means associated with said table to supply subatmospheric pressure to said spindles during the rotation thereof for holding insulator blanks on the spindles, and means for subjecting each of said spindles at one point during the rotation of said ltable to a current of fluid pressure for releasing the partial vacuum.

14. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a table, insulator blank supporting spindles equally spaced about and carried by said table, means for rotating a majority of said spindles, cutting means disposed adjacent a plurality of said spindles, means for intermittently rotating said table and progressively advancing said spindles relative to said cutting means, each of said spindles being adapted to afford a. support for an insulator blank, means associated with each of said spindles for holding an insulator blank immovable thereon during the rotation thereof, and means at a xed point removed from said cutting means for releasing said holding means.

EDWARD M. SKIPPER. 

